Shade-roller mechanism.



F. W. ASHBY.

SHADE ROLLER MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED IAN-20. 1.91s.

1 1 89,21 7 Patented J um 27, 1916.

VVi't/zessea r [77,0672 f07' I BIA PLANDGRAPH 1.20., WASHINGTON, D c.'

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRED W. ASHBY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO

WINSLOW BROS. COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION or ILLINOIS.-

SHADE-ROLLER MECHANISM.

1,189,217. Specification of Letters Patent. P t t J 27, 91

Application filed January 20, 1915.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRED IV. ASHBY, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Shade-Roller Mechanisms, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

The present invention relates to shaderoller mechanisms.

In providing shades for windows and doors it has been found that a flexible curtain rolling upon a spring-actuated roller is highly advantageous in numerous situations.

In certain situations it is desirable to keep the curtain under constant tension in order to keep it in proper position. Such a situation arises where the curtain is mounted .upon a swinging sash. Another such situation arises where the roller is mounted at the bottom of the window or door and the curtain is drawn upward.

It has heretofore been found difficult to keep the roller in its mounting. The re peated movement and jarring occasioned by frequent adjustments of the shade have in all structures known to me tended to rattle the spring roller loose in its bearing and cause the same to become inoperative, or else the roller is liable to jump out of its mounting entirely.

As curtains which are under constant tension do not need to employ pawl and ratchet mechanism, great inconvenience has been experienced in handling spring curtain-rollers, the same always having a tendency to unwind, thereby causing difficulty in placing the same in the bracket.

The present invention aims to correct the above fault and has for its object the provision of improved means for mounting a spring-roller curtain.

Another object of my invention is to provide a controller for a curtain roller. Iaccomplish this by providing a pair of brackets for the spring roller, one of these brackets having a key-hole slot to receive the spear of the spring roller, and being provided with a controller which looks the spear in the enlarged part of the slot by the tension of the spring itself.

Serial No. 3,220.

I prefer to place the roller completely under the control of the controller, though it 1s not absolutely necessary so to do, as some of the advantages of my invention may be realized by incompletely carrying out the invention.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification I have illustrated one embodiment in which my invention may be practised, though it is to be understood that this embodiment is illustrative only and may be varied to suit conditions in a manner such as is well understood by one skilled in the art.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the parts of a shade-roller, controller and mounting bracket in separate conditions, showing the shade-roller and controller in position to be assembled. Fig. 2 shows the complete structure in place upon a window sash. Fig. 3 is an end view showing the controller and its cooperating bracket in position. Fig. ,4 is a view taken on the lines 4-4 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 5 illustrates in perspective another form of controller; and, Fig. 6 illustrates in perspective a form of bracket which may be used with the form of controller shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 illustrates the complete structure placed upon a window sash where the shade roller is located at the top of the sash.

In Fig. 1 I have shown a flexible curtain l .as wound upon the roller 2 and being provided at its outer edge with a stiffening stick 3 mounted in a loop of the curtain itself. The roller 2 at one end is provided with a cylindrical end 4 mounted axially to provide a bearing for the end of the roller. The opposite end of the roller 2 is provided with a spear 50f rectangular cross section. This spear is connected through a helical spring to the roller 2, the spring being mounted preferably on the interior of the roller 2, as is Well known in the art.

It is to be noted here that no pawl and ratchet mechanism is employed between the roller 2 and the spear 5, vas the curtain 1 is to be constantly under tension, as shown in Fig. 2. i 5

The axial pin 4 is provided with a suitable bearing 6 in a bracket 7, which is mounted upon the Window-frame or upon the sash itself or upon any suitable location, as may be desired. A corresponding bracket 8 is mounted at the opposite side of the door or window and provides a mounting for the spear 5, as will be described.

While I have shown the brackets 7 and 8 as provided with the flanges 9 formed by bending the bodies of the brackets at right angles, it is to be understood that these brackets 7 and 8 may be secured in any desired, manner to the window-frame, sash or the like. The bracket 8 is provided with a key-hole slot having a circular opening 10 and a slotted portion 11. The slotted portion 11 is of sufficient width to allow the spear 5 to pass therethrmigh when presented edgewise, the circular portion 10 being of such a diameter as to allow rotation of the spear 5 therein. Adjacent the bottom of the bracket 8 there is provided a projecting lug 12, which forms a stop for the controller 13, which will now be described.

The controller 13 comprises an angle clip having a plain flange 11 and a perforated flange 15. The perforation in the flange 15 is oblong and is of a size suitable to allow the spear 5 to pass therethrough. Any con siderable amount of play between the spear 5 and the controller 13 is, however, to be avoided, the slot being such as to allow the controller to he slipped over the spear 5 into the position shown in Fig. 1. The flange 15 is also provided with a projecting lug 10, which may be stamped out of the metal thereof, to form a coiiperating lug with the lug 12 when the parts are in the position shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 1.

It is to be noted that, as the spring on the inside of the roller is free to act, it will tend to rotate the controller 18 in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 1. Any considerable movement is prevented, however, by the flange 1 1 engaging the stick 3 at the bottom of the curtain. it is therefore impossible "for the spring to unwind at any time regardless of the position of the curtain in or out ot the bracket.

The operation of the structure described and illustrated in Figs. 1 to l, inclusive, is follows: The brackets 7 and 8 are mounted upon a window or other frame 17, or the like, and a suitable roller 18, over which a cord 19 fastens, is attached to the upper end of the member 17 so as to provide means for adjusting the shade 1 and for holding the same against the tension of the spring in the roller. The curtain 1 is wound completely upon the roller 2 and the spring on the inside of the roller is placed under suitable tension. The controller 13 is then slipped over the spear 5 and the parts are held in the position shown in Fig. 1, against the tension of the spring. The pin l is inserted in the bearing 6 of the bracket 7 and the spear 5 is passed through the slot 11. in the bracket 8 into the enlarged circular portion 10. It is to be understood that it is necessary for the operator to hold the controller 13 in the position shown in Fig. 1, as the spring tends to rotate it in such a direction as to cause it to engage the stick 3 at the edge of the curtain. \Vhen the spear 5 has been inserted in the opening 11), the controller 13 is released, allowing the projecting lug 16 to engage the lug 12 on the bracket 8, in the position shown in Fig. 3. At turned so that its major axis is at right angles to the slot 11 and it will be impossible for the spear to be withdrawn through the slot 11. As the curtain 1 is always under tension, the cooperating lugs 12 and 16 will always be held in engagement and the spear will be prevented from ever turning at right angles to the position shown in 3, where it would be possible for the same to come out of the slot 11.

When it is desired to remove the curtain from the bracket the operator rotates the controller 13 in the clockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 3, until the spear presents its minor axis to the slot 11, and may then be withdrawn through the slot 11.

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate the manner in which advantage may be taken of my invention in handling the type of shade-curtain known in the prior art by employing a modified form of controller. This modified form of controller (shown in Fig. 5) comprises a cylindrical spring clip 20 of horseshoe shape in cross section, adapted to spring over the cylindrical part of the curtain in its rolled up condition. A slotted bracket 21 having one arm projecting diametrically across the end of the spring clip 20 and having its other arm secured to the spring clip 20, provides means for gripping the spear 5 of the roller. The spring clip 20 prevents the slotted bracket 21 from coming out of en.- gagement with the spear 5, and this modified form of controller might be employed in stead of the controller 13, though it finds its chief usefulness in application to spring rollers when the same are removed from the bracket 22, such as are known in the prior art. That is to say, this form of controller is most useful in aiding to place a spring roller in position in a bracket 22, the spring is placed under proper tension by turning due to frictional engagement with the curtain, would be disadvantageous to the operation of the curtain or shade, the operation of this form of the device being as follows: When it is desired to place a spring shaderoller in position in a bracket 22, the spring is placed under proper tension by turning the spear 5, as by means of a wrench. controller shown in Fig. 5 is then placed upon the end of the curtain roller by slipping the spring clip 20 over the side of the roller so as to cause the slot in the bracket 21 to hold the spear 5 against rotation. The

this time the spear 5 will have been The edges of the spring clip 20 at this time engage the stick 3 in the same manner as the flange 14 of the controller 13. The shaderoller may then be placed in position in the slotted bracket 22 and the controller may then be removed by simply slipping the same off the roller sidewise. Removal of the cur- ,tain from the bracket 22 is effected by reverse operation.

It can now be seen that I have provided a form of mechanism for mounting and controlling spring shade-rollers which is highly advantageous and useful.

It is obvious that the controller may appear at either or in fact at both ends of the curtain roller, as this is a matter of choice for those skilled in the art.

It is also apparent that my invention may be carried out in other forms of mechanism than I have described, the particular type of mechanism which I have shown and de scribed being merely an illustrative embodiment in which my invention may appear.

I desire that all modifications and variations such as will at once suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, be considered as coming within the spirit and scope of my invention, as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is the following 1. A controller for a spring curtain roller comprising an arm having an oblong perforation therethrough for embracing the spear of the roller, said spear and arm being relatively not rotatable, a body portion extending at right angles to said arm parallel to the axis of the roller, said body portion being adapted to engage the curtain stick to prevent unwinding of the spring said controller being adapted to be supported in operative position upon the roller when the same is withdrawn from the supporting bracket.

2. A controller for a spring curtain roller comprising an arm having an oblong opening therethrough for gripping the spear of the roller and being supported on said spear independently of the window frame, and a substantially straight body portion extending along the roller and parallel to the axis thereof and disposed substantially at right angles to said arm, said body portion being adapted to engage the curtain stick when the curtain is rolled up and to prevent unwind ing of the spring of the roller.

3. A controller for a spring curtain roller comprising an L-shaped bar having one arm lying diametrically across the rollers and having an oblong perforation adapted to receive and to embrace the spear of the roller, said bar being adapted to be supported on said spear independently of the support of said roller, the other arm being substantially straight and lying along the roller and preventing the curtain stick moving thereunder when the curtain is rolled up.

4. In combination, a roller, brackets for supporting said roller at both ends, a curtain .WOUIlCl on said roller, a stick secured to the end of said curtain, a flattened spear for said roller, said spear forming a bearing for said roller, a spring normally under tension connecting said spear and said roller, a controller having an arm engaging said spear and having a part for engaging with said curtain stick, said controller being independent of the other end of the roller.

5. In combination a roller, a curtain wound on said roller, a flat sided spear for supporting one end of said roller, a spring normally under tension connecting the spear and the roller, a supporting bracket having a key hole slot adapted to receive said spear, a stop projecting from said bracket, a controller having an oblong perforation embracing said spear and a stop on said controller cooperating with the stop on said bracket to hold said spear in said keyhole slot, said controller being removable with said roller from said supporting bracket and having means to prevent unwinding of the spring when so removed from the bracket.

6. In combination, a spring roller having a curtain wound thereon, said roller having a fiat spear and a spring normally under tension connecting said spear and said roller, a supporting bracket having a keyhole slot, the narrow part of said slot being adapted to receive the spear edgewise and the round part of the slot being adapted to embrace said spear directly, said bracket having a stop projecting therefrom, a controller having an arm lying diametrically across said roller, said arm having an oblong perforation therein adapted to embrace said spear, said arm having a lug thereon, said lug having a portion projecting at substantially right angles to said arm and another portion substantially parallel to said arm, said lug and stop being adapted to engage under the tension of said spring.

7. In combination, a spring roller having a curtain wound thereon, said roller having a flat sided spear and a spring normally under tension connecting said spear and said roller, a supporting bracket having a keyhole slot, said bracket having a projecting stop and a controller having an arm lying diametrically across the end of said roller, said arm having an oblong perforation therethrough adapted to embrace said spear, said arm having a lug struck up therefrom, said lug having a portion projectingsubstantially at right angles to the arm and another portion substantially parallel to the arm, said controller having another arm adapted to lie parallel to the axis of the roller and to engage the curtain stick when the curtain is Wound up, said controller being removable with the roller from said bracket and being operative when so removed to prevent the spring from unwinding.

8. In combination, a spring curtain roller having a flat sided spear, a bracket having a keyhole slot for receiving said spear, a controller cooperating with said bracket and normally preventing rotation of said spear in the enlarged portion of said keyhole slot, said controller having an oblong perforation adapted to be slipped over said spear to render the controller and spear relatively non-rotatable, said controller having a short arm extending along the axis of the roller and adapted to engage the curtain stick when the curtain is rolled up, said controller being removable in operative condition with said spear from said bracket.

9. In combination, a spring curtain roller having a spear, said spear having a flat cross-section, a bracket having a key-hole slot, said spear passing through the reduced part of said slot when presented edgewise, and a controller for holding said spear in the enlarged portion of said slot to present its side to said reduced-part of the slot, said controller having a non-circular perforation to receive said spear, the spear being inserted axially into said perforation, said controller being removable with said spear from said bracket, said controller having an arm extending upon the roller to engage the curtain stick and prevent the spring from unwinding when the controller and spear are removed from said bracket.

10. In combination, a spring curtain roller, a curtain on said roller, said roller having a flat spear, a bracket having a keyhole slot for receiving said spear, a stop on said bracket, a controller, an opening in said controller embracing said spear, a stop on said controller cooperating with the stop on said bracket and an arm on said controller, and means on the end of said curtain for engaging said arm, said controller being readily rei'novable from said bracket and adapted to prevent the spring from unwinding when said spear is removed from said bracket.

11. In combination, a spring curtain roller, a curtain on said roller, a bracket for supporting one end of said roller, a controller cooperating with said bracket to prevent disengagement of said roller and said bracket, said controller having means to prevent the free end of the curtain from rotating past said bracket, said controller being readily removable from said bracket and being operative when so removed to prevent the roller spring unwinding.

12. In combination a spring curtain roller having a flattened spear, a bracket having a key-hole slot for receiving said spear, a controller cooperating with said spear and normallypreventing rotation of said spear in the enlarged portion of said key-hole slot, said controller having a noncircular perforation adapted to be slipped over said spear to render the controller and spear non-rotatable with respect to each other, said controller having a short arm extending along the axis of the roller and cooperating means on said controller and on said bracket for preventing rotation of said spear when the same is in place.

13. In combination a bracket, a spring roller, a spear on said roller, said bracket.

having a lateral key-hole slot, a controller comprising an L-shaped bracket, one arm having an oblong perforation for embracing said spear, and the other arm extending along said roller and adapted to engage the curtain stick to prevent unwinding of the spring.

14. In combination a bracket, a spring roller, a spear on said roller, said bracket having a lateral key-hole slot', a controller comprising an L-shaped bracket, one arm of said bracket having a perforation for embracing said spear and the other arm extending along said roller and adapted to engage the curtainstick to prevent unwinding of the spring, said first arm having a lateral projection prevent-ing relative rotation be tweenthe bracket and said controller.

15. In combination a spring roller having a flat spear and a spring connecting the spear and roller, a bracket adapted to be secured to the window casing or the like, said bracket having a keyhole slot for receiving said spear, a controller having an oblong hole, said controller embracing the spear and lying upon the inside of said bracket, a lug struck up from said controller, said lug having its end lying upon the outer side of said bracket to hold the controller and bracket together.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 8th day of January, A. D. 1915.

FRED WV. ASHBY.

W itnesses EDMUND J. WALL, ROYAL E. PAUL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,189,217, granted June 27, 1916, upon the application of Fred W. Ashby, of Chicago, Illinois, for an improvement in Shade-Roller Mechanisms, an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 2, lines 116-117, for the Words the spring is placed under proper tension by turning read or the like, as the tendency of the spring clip 20 to drag; and that the said Letters Patent should be read With this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 25th day of July,'A. D., 1916.

[SEAL] F. W. H. CLAY,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

